The Scottish Society of the History of Medicine Report of Proceedings session 1980–81

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS LABORATORY: THE EXPERIMENT THAT BECAME ROUTINE From its inception the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh actively pursued an interest in the development of science, both medical and non-medical. In 1887, during the Presidency of Sir Douglas Maclagan (1812-1900) the College decided to establish a laboratory for the prosecution of original research. So came into being the first laboratory for medical research in Britain. It was opened at 7 Lauriston Lane, Edinburgh, with £1,000 capital outlay and £650 annual running costs. Dr. (later Sir) John Batty Tuke (1835-1913) was the first Curator and Dr. (later Sir) G. Sims Woodhead (1855-1921) the first Superintendent. Soon the laboratory was well used by some thirty research workers. The early work was devoted to bacteriology, pharmacology, anatomy, pathology, and even zoology. Financial troubles dogged the laboratory almost from the beginning. Sponsors were necessary if the work was to continue. Arrangements were therefore entered into with the Carnegie Trust in 1903, and this association continued until 1950. It was also important that routine work be continued to be accepted, but payment now became necessary for this. Early eminent workers in the laboratory included James Dawson (1870-1927), distinguished for his work in neuropathology; and Diarmid Noel Paton (1859-1928), whose varied studies were of great significance in cardiology, metabolism, and particularly nutrition. The early years were also very productive in papers, 320 in all, while over 40,000 clinical reports, mostly bacteriological, were made. During World War I, studies were undertaken on vaccines and sera, and there was